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A flattened cell that wraps around the long branch of a nerve cell

Question

A flattened cell that wraps around the long branch of a nerve cell

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Solution

The cell you're referring to is called a Schwann cell. These cells are a type of glial cell that provide support and insulation to axons - the long branch of a nerve cell - in the peripheral nervous system of mammals. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Schwann cells begin to wrap around the axon of the nerve cell in a process called myelination.

  2. The cell rotates around the axon, laying down layers of a fatty substance called myelin.

  3. The myelin forms a sheath around the axon, which insulates it and increases the speed at which nerve impulses (signals) can travel along the nerve cell.

  4. The areas where the axon is not covered by the Schwann cells are called nodes of Ranvier. These nodes allow for saltatory conduction, where the nerve impulse jumps from node to node, which speeds up the transmission of the nerve impulse.

  5. The myelination by Schwann cells is critical for the rapid conduction of nerve impulses, and damage to these cells can result in diseases like multiple sclerosis.

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